Sony remains dedicated to releasing Marathon by the end of its fiscal year, March 31, 2026, despite mixed feedback from alpha testers. The upcoming extraction shooter, developed by Bungie, has encountered significant controversy, prompting concerns about its development trajectory. Initially scheduled for a September 2025 launch on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game has been marred by allegations of art plagiarism, casting doubts over its future similar to the challenges faced by Concord. Marathon involves player-versus-player mechanics where teams or solo participants must collect loot within a perilous environment and successfully escape.
The initial alpha was not well-received, resulting in low team morale, which led many to speculate about potential delays. However, Sony takes a more optimistic stance regarding the game’s readiness. Notably, the recent PlayStation State of Play did not feature Marathon, raising eyebrows about its status. In a presentation, Sony noted that despite requests from alpha testers for a delay, Marathon’s release is still slated for FY25.
The presentation highlighted early engagement and characterized the title as innovative, which contrasts sharply with community sentiment. Hermen Hulst, CEO of Studio Business Group, acknowledged the varied feedback but emphasized that it is valuable for refining the game to enhance player satisfaction. While employees have expressed concerns about morale, Hulst expressed excitement for the impending release and assured that learnings from the alpha phase would facilitate continuous improvement. Additionally, to prevent issues like those that plagued Concord, Sony is implementing more rigorous processes during development.
Although Bungie has recognized the art plagiarism issue and committed to avoiding similar missteps in the future, it will be crucial to monitor how Sony addresses these challenges as it prepares for the launch.